The next parliament will be well hung, no pun intended, and it may not work smoothly. Consider.

While the PPP has indicated that it could live with Musharraf, two factors could militate against a modus vivendi. Musharraf in a recent interview has not only regretted giving relief to the Bhutto-Zardari duo on corruption cases, he has also made his intentions of remaining the Grand Patriarch quite clear. It is unlikely that any new prime minister would accept that.

Another variable is the strong presence of the PMLN. It will be astonishing if Sharif were to retract his stand on the thorny issues of restoration of judges, amendments to the constitution and Musharraf’s re-election. If the PPP decides to go into a coalition with the PMLN, it will face pressure on that count. It should be clear that on all these issues the PMLN will have the support of civil society (including the lawyers) as well as those political actors that chose to boycott the elections. It will be a tough call for the PPP.

Circumstances and repeated miscalculations by Musharraf might have brought the two parties together but there is nothing innately common between them ideologically. The PMLN was quietly playing second fiddle to the PPP until February 18. Its showing is likely to change that. Any coalition means the PMLN will ask for a price for cooperation that may be prohibitive for the PPP. Cabinet slots and even the office of the prime minister could be other problem areas.

... contd.